cise, commonly called swinging; which has been found serviceable in several complaints; and it is asserted, that even the tooth-ach and deafness have sometimes been removed by violent agitations of the body. We propose to make some farther observations on this species of exercise, under the article Swinging.
AGONY is a term used to signify an extreme degree of pain, or the last pangs of death. The terror of death appears, in a great degree, occasioned by the contortions and convulsions with which the agony seems attended; though the general opinion of physiologists is, that in such cases the sensations of pain are not very acute; a course of affliction during sickness, having naturally indisposed the nerves for any quick sensations.
Various means have been employed for mitigating the agonies of death, such as opium, etc.; but these attempts are, by judicious persons, generally discountenanced: the conscious reflection of having spent an active and useful life, is, on this occasion, the most effectual remedy which suggests itself to the christian and the philosopher.
AGRICULTURE is the art of cultivating the earth, so that it may produce the vegetables we desire in their greatest perfection. It may be divided into two branches; namely, theory and practice. The former particularly treats of the various means of preparing and managing the soil and manure, and of the different kinds of vegetables which are adapted to particular soils, and most proper to be raised for the consumption of men, cattle, &c. The latter relates to the implements of husbandry, the various methods of cultivating land, raising crops, and feeding cattle.
Agriculture is one of those arts which, from the earliest periods, have been deservedly held in the highest estimation. One of the first injunctions upon our original progenitor, after his dismission from the garden of Eden, was, that he should "till the ground." Subsequent experience has fully proved, that the cultivation of this necessary art essentially contributes to the prosperity of mankind, and that it ought to form a primary object in all moral and political regulations.
In the earliest ages, and among those nations which have been celebrated for their refinement and civilization, agriculture has been highly prized, and carried even to considerable perfection. Among the Hebrews, high birth or rank conferred no exclusive distinctions; for it was then considered as the most honourable of human employments. By this valuable art, the Chaldeans discovered the means of procuring successive crops of corn, which enabled them to remain stationary, and not migrate, as their predecessors had formerly done, in order to obtain subsistence for themselves and their flocks. So sensible were many nations of its great importance, that, according to the history of the ancient Persians, their kings, once in every month, divested themselves of regal pomp, and ate with husbandmen. In China, a day is still annually appointed, when the emperor goes in solemn procession to a field, where he shews his sense of the inestimable benefits of agriculture, by undertaking, for a short time, the laborious occupation of directing the plough in person. Among the Romans, the rural art was deemed so honourable a pursuit, that the most distinguished senators, at their leisure intervals, applied themselves
